Abstract:
The Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition (VUWAE) was mounted to complete the detailed investigations of the extensive ice free area of Victoria Land between the Taylor and Mackay Glaciers, the McMurdo Dry Valleys. The area investigated is bounded to the south by the Ferrar and Taylor Glaciers, the west by the polar plateau, to the east by the Wilson Piedmont Glacier and the ... Mackay Glacier in the north. In addition geological investigations were conducted in the Darwin Glacier region and Koettlitz Glacier region. In the 1957-58 season, a broad topographical and geological survey was conducted around the Dry Valleys area without entering it. In the 1958-59 season detailed geological investigations and mapping, topographical, biological and geophysical observations were made in the Wright Valley. In the 1959-60 season, the expedition aimed to complete the geological mapping and studies (basement studies, paleomagnetism, gravity work, topographic survey, glaciology observations, meteorology observations and general biology) begun in the previous two seasons and expand this in the Victoria Valley. In the 1960-61 season, the Koettlitz Glacier area was investigated. A complete geological investigation and mapping coverage of the exposed rock region was carried out, meteorology observations were taken, a gravimetric survey, collections of rock samples for paleomagnetism study and glaciology and biology studies were conducted. Algae, lichens, mosses, windblown marine shells and sponge remains were sampled and returned to NZ for investigation. In the 1962-63 field season, the expedition mapped the Brown Hills region, the Darwin Mountains and Tentacle Ridge near the Darwin Glacier. This took less time than expected and the Taylor Valley and Marble Point were mapped in the remaining time. This work completed the detailed coverage by VUWAE mapping in the McMurdo Oases, Darwin Glacier and Keottlitz Glacier areas. Numerous samples of lichen, algae and moss were collected from all regions as well as invertebrates (mites and springtails). Meteorology measurements were taken in most locations. A gravity traverse was conducted in the Taylor Valley and general glaciology investigations were conducted over all regions.

Quality
All data relating to this study can be found in the publications. All existing rock samples are catalogued in the PETLAB database and are either held by GNS Science or the Victoria University of Wellington. Please contact:

Wheller, R.H. 1962 The ice-fall areas of western McMurdo Sound. Proceedings of the Third New Zealand Geography Conference.

Allen, A.D. 1962 Geological investigations in south Victoria Land, Antarctica: part 7 - formations of the Beacon Group in the Victoria Valley region. New Zealand journal of geology and geophysics 5(2): 278-294

Allen, A.D. Gibson, G.W. 1962 Geological investigations in south Victoria Land, Antarctica: part 6 - outline of the geology of the Victoria Valley region. New Zealand journal of geology and geophysics 5(2): 234-242